Following House passage last night of the Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015, Brett Blankenship, NAWG President and wheat grower from Washtucna, Wash. issued the following statement.
“This bill establishes more transparency and ensures there is no disruption in inspection services should a delegated state agency discontinue providing services. This bill provides the certainty wheat growers need. It’s important to have bipartisan bills like this make their way through Congress and we look forward to the President signing the bill into law.”
The Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015 includes three separate titles, including one to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act for five years. This component of the bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) to immediately take such steps as are necessary to resume inspections when a delegated State agency discontinues services. Additionally, the reauthorization will require a recertification process, including a public comment period for delegated State agencies, as well as several reporting requirements to ensure transparency.